Fluid supply system for an automatic washing machine



Feb. 6, 1968 R. F. BRUBAKER ETAL 3,367,153

FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 10, 1966 l I I l I fin 1 m w m o mo r MW 0 E r O U H WBH A FEM T I r G e em/v Db r T 000? vRRN Feb. 6, 1968 R. F. BRUBAKER ETAL 3,367,153

FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Robef F Brubaker 9 Robert E Hoffman I NormanJ.Bu/Iock 3 Their Attorney Feb. 6, 1968 R. F. BRUBAKER ETAL 3,367,153

FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 Q 1 q .s 1 ,203 4 I F ,/l66

I h 5 5 M I 1 4 a a I i f I86 I90 INVENTORS '88 Robert FBrubaker RoberfE. Hoffman Norman J. Bullock F; g 7 QAZM Their Attorney 1968 R. F. BRUBAKER ETAL 3,357,153

FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Robert FBrubaker Roberf E. Hoffman Norman J. Bullock .fl//w Their Attorney United States Patent F FLUID SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN AUTOMATEC WASHING MACHINE Robert F. Brubaker, Eaton, Robert E. Hoifrnan, Bellbrook, and Norman J. Bullock, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 10, 1966, Ser. No. 556,604 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DFSCLOSURE In preferred form, a water inlet and water level control arrangement for an automatic washer including a combination water gap forming fill nozzle having an integrally formed proportional flow divider for directing a part of the washer inlet flow to a fill nozzle hose inlet of the fill nozzle and a second part of the divided flow through a splash guard flow director on a water container top of the washer, the washer further including control circuit means utilizing an air pressure switch in the level control system and a plurality of timer controlled switches to eliminate the need for a holding relay to prevent deenergization of the washer during predetermined periods where fluid is drained from the washer water container.

This invention relates to domestic washers and more particularly to an improved fill system for selectively directing a controlled amount of water into the washing machine and means for selectively directing the controlled amount of water through the washing machine system following a wash cycle of operation for subsequent use therein if desired.

In automatically controlled domestic Washers it is desirable to include a water supply and drain system that is closely controlled to regulate the amount of water input to the apparatus in accordance with the types of loads being processed. Additionally, in such automatic washers in areas where the cost of heating water produced in the appliance as well as the cost of the water itself for use in the appliance is high, it is desirable to include a suds saver on the washer that will utilize water drained from the system following a first predetermined cycle of operation in a subsequent washing cycle of operation rather than wasting such wash water to drain.

An object of the present invention is to improve the economy of operation of clothes washers by the provision of an improved fluid supply system for the washer that includes air pressure responsive means controlling means for terminating a fill period of operation wherein the air responsive means is connected to an improved pressure sealed sump forming member having an integral air trapping chamber in which air is compressed directly in proportion to the amount of water received in a large volume fluid receiving chamber of the sump member and wherein the water flow into the fluid receiving chamber is directed through an improved flow divider that will di rect an amount of water into the sump means proportional to that water directed into a cleaning compartment of the apparatus irrespective of large variations in the pressure of the fluid being supplied to the machine.

A further object of the present invention is toprovide an improved flow divider of the type directing a large amount of fluid into a clothes cleaning container in automatic domestic appliances and a proportionate smaller amount of fluid into a sensing system for terminating the flow of fluid when a predetermined amount of water has been directed into the water container wherein the flow divider includes means for maintaining an accurate proportional flow into the cleaning container and the system 3,367,153 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 for terminating the flow of fluid to the flow divider irrespective of wide variations in the pressure of the fluid being supplied to the flow divider whereby the control for terminating the supply of water to the flow divider and hence to the water container will accurately maintain an amount of fluid in the cleaning compartment required to produce desirable cleaning for a particular type of article and load being contained therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to improve automatic domestic washing apparatus including an automatically controlled pressure fill system wherein a flow divider directs a large amount of fluid into a cleaning container and a proportionally smaller amount of fluid into a sensing system for terminating the pressure fill when a desired liquid level occurs in the cleaning container by the provision of improved means for collecting the smaller proportional flow of fluid -for producing a positive air pressure increase which is sensed by pressure responsive means to terminate the water fill and wherein the improved means includes a sump tank having thin flexible walls divided into an integrally formed fluid receiving chamber and a separate air trapping chamber and wherein the Walls of the water receiving chamber forming portion of the sump tank are reinforced by means that locate the sump tank in sealing relationship with a drain opening in a water container for receiving fluid extracted from the cleaning container of the apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to improve automatic domestic washing apparatus of the type including a pressure fill system automatically controlled to terminate fill when a predetermined water level occurs in a cleaning container of the apparatus by the provision of a fluid level sensing system including a flow divider having an inlet and a dual arrangement of outlet nozzle means one of which directs water into the cleaning container of the apparatus and the other of which directs a smaller proportionate flow into a water container and wherein the divider is characterized by the ability to maintain an accurate proportionate flow through the nozzle means irrespective of wide variations in the pressure of the fluid being supplied to the inlet of the flow divider.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved control system in automatic cleaning apparatus of the type inculding a cleaning container and means for receiving fluid extracted from said container and wherein the cleaning container is associated with means including a reversible electric motor for carrying out a predetermined washing cycle of operation and a fluid extraction cycle of operation, and wherein a reversible flow pump is included for selectively draining fluid from the container during one direction of rotation thereof and for preventing fluid flow from the container during an opposite direction of rotation thereof by the provision in the control system of an air pressure responsive switch means that measures a predetermined amount of sensing fluid to terminate filling of the cleaning container of the apparatus with washing fluid and wherein the air pressure responsive switch means following the fill operation is included in an energization circuit for the reversible motor which includes timer controlled contact means for conditioning the motor to operate the pump in a direction to prevent drainage of fluid from the enclosing container whereby the air pressure responsive switch means can be utilized to complete the energization circuit for the motor and wherein the timer controlled contact means are sequenced to maintain the electric motor conditioned for operating the pump in such a manner until the enclosing container is completely drained under the control of the pressure responsive switch means which is operative following the drain cycle and when fluid has been drained from the water container to complete an energization circuit through timer motor means for operating the timer control switches to condition the electric motor means for a subsequent phase of operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to improve a fluid supply system for an automatic domestic appliance of the type including a rotatable cleaning container and a water collecting container surrounding the cleaning container for receiving fluid extracted therefrom during a spin cycle of operation of the cleaning container and wherein fill terminating means including sump means are located on the water receiving container having a drain conduit therefrom connecting to a reversible pump driven by reversible electric motor means and wherein the reversible pump has an outlet thereof connected to means for selectively diverting fluid drain from the water container into a drain or into a suds saving reservoir by the provision of fluid control means interposed between the sump means of the fill terminating system and the inlet to the pump which control means are operative during rotation of the pump to drain the water container to allow free flow of fluid from the sump means through the pump and thence to either the drain or the suds saving reservoir depending upon the condition of the diverter valve in the outlet of the pump means and wherein the fluid control means is operative upon rotation of the pump in an opposite direction to close the drain conduit from the sump means to maintain the water level therein during a wash cycle of operation and wherein the water level therein during a wash cycle of operation and wherein the fluid control means is further characterized by having an outlet in communication with the inlet of the pump when the pump is directing water toward the sump means for diverting such water and directing it interiorly of the cleaning container whereby upon proper conditioning of the suds saver diverter means fluid can be drawn by said pump means from the suds saver reservoir and thence discharged into said cleaning container without passing into said water collecting container.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

FIGURE 1 is a view in vertical section of a domestic washing machine including the fluid supply system of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of a subtop of the washing machine as it is related to the improved flow divider of the fill system and wherein the remainder of the fluid supply system of the invention is shown diagrammatically;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of the flow divider of the present invention in elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIGURE 2 including a portion of the water container and subtop of the washing machine in vertical section;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, sectional view of a fluid control component of the system for controlling flow therein during drain and suds savings operations:

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view in horizontal section showing the reversible pump in the fluid supply system of the present invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a control circuit incorporated in the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an automatic domestic clothes washer 10 is illustrated including an outer casing 12 having a base 14, side walls 16, 18, a front wall 20, and a top 22 having an access opening 24 thcrethrough closed by a lid 26. The top opening 24 provides access through an opening 26 in a subtop 28 into an upper open end of a rotatable spin tub 30 in which soiled articles are placed. Within the spin tub 30 is located a vertically reciprocable agitator 32 for surging cleaning fluid through articles in the spin tub for removing soil therefrom. In the illustrated arrangement, the spin tub 30 is enclosed by a water container 34 having a bottom partition or bulkhead 36 that forms a space 38 surrounding the spin tub 30 into which fluid is directed during a spin cycle of operation from extraction ports 40 in the outer surface of the spin tub 30. Beneath the bulkhead 36 is a lower machinery compartment42 in which is located a drive mechanism 44 of the type set forth more particularly in United States Patent No. 3,087,321, issued April 30, 1963 to Brucken. As is more specifically set forth in the Brucken patent, the mechanism 44 includes a shaft housing 46 that is secured to the bottom bulkhead 36 and has a spin shaft 48 directed therethrough connected to the bottom of the spin tub 30 and an agitate shaft 50 therein directed coaxially of the spin shaft 48 and exteriorly thereof to be connected to the agitator 32 for causing reciprocable movement thereof.

Additionally, the mechanism 44 includes a reversible electric motor 52 that includes a shaft portion 51 connected to the impeller 53 of a pump 54 for operating the impeller in opposite directions of rotation to produce a bidirectional flow pattern between an inlet 56 of the pump and an outlet 58 therefrom as best seen in FIGURE 8..

Additionally, in the illustrated Washing machine 10 a fill system is included which includes a cold water valve 60 and a hot water valve 62 under the control of a hot water solenoid 64 and a cold water solenoid 66, respectively, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 9. Fluid flow through: the valves 60, 62 passes into a mixed water supply con-- duit 67 which has its outlet end fastened over, the inlet 66 of a flow divider 68 to be more specifically discussed. From the flow divider 68 fluid is supplied through a conduit 70 to a fluid inlet 72 in the top 74 of an upstanding water inlet chute 76 having openings 78 and 80 in the sides thereof whereby the water chute 76 constitutes an air gap between the water supply and the outlet of the chute 76 which is located in an opening 82 directed through the subtop 28 so as to be aligned in fluid filling relationship with the interior of the spin tub 30. In the illustrated arrangement the chute 76 has a locating arm 83 thereon in engagement with top 28 and the flow divider 68 has a pedestal 84 integrally formed with and upstanding from top 74 of chute 76, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

In accordance with certain principles of the present invention, the fluid flow through the supply conduit 67, flow divider 68 and water chute 76 is controllable to produce a wide range of water levels within the spin tub 30 each of which is suitable for a particular load or type of fabric being cleaned. Thus, when articles have been loaded into the spin tub 30 and the top is closed, the operator of the machine moves a cycle selector knob 85 on a rearwardly located control panel of machine 10 to a position where an indicator arm 86 behind a transparent window 88 is located at the beginning of one of a plurality of desired washing cycles of operation. Concurrently and in accordance with the type of the load having been placed in the spin tub 30, the operator positions a water selector control knob 90 which is operatively connected to an indicating column 92 for visually indicating the level of the desired fill on the control panel of the washer 10. The control knob 90 is operatively connected to an air pressure responsive switch 94 including an air pressurizable diaphragm 96 for operating a switch blade 98 into electrical engagement with a fill contact 100 and a timer motor circuit contact 102, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 9. The switch 94 includes means (not shown) for adjustably positioning the contact 100 with respect to the switch blade 98 so as to maintain the switch blade 98 in electrical engagement with the contact 100 until the diaphragm 96 senses a greater or lesser control air pressure in accordance with the level of water selected by the control knob 90.

Once the cycle selector knob 84 and water selector 90 have been positioned and the lid 26 has been closed, a water fill energization circuit is completed as seen in FIG- URE 9 from a wire L through a closed door switch 104 thence through a conductor 106 and a conductor 108 to the switch blade 98 of the air pressure switch 94 which is in engagement with the fill contact 100. From the fill contact 180 the circuit passes through a closed cam operated timer controlled contact 110 that is positioned by the cycle control selector knob 85 in a closed position at the start of awash cycle. The circuit thence passes through a conductor 112 having a manually positionable hot water selector switch 114 therein to one side of the solenoid coil 64 for opening the hot water valve 60. The opposite side of the coil 64 is electrically connected to conductors 116, 118, 120 to wire N of a 115-volt power source. Also from timer control switch 110 is connected a conductor 122 having a manually operable cold water selector switch 123 therein and to one side of the cold water solenoid coil 66 that has its opposite side connected by a conductor 124 thence through conductors 118, 120 to wire N. With the switches 114, 123 closed, the water valves 60, 62 are opened and water is discharged through the supply conduit 64 into the inlet 66 of the flow divider 68.

In accordance with certain principles of the present invention, the fiow divider 68 is characterized by having an inlet pipe 126 which is opened at one end thereof to form the inlet 66 to the flow divider 68 and is closed at its opposite end across the full planar extent of the flow area through the pipe 126 by a wall 128. The flow divider 68 also includes a depending small diameter nozzle 130 thereon and an upwardly directed nozzle 132 thereon which has a cross-sectional flow area therein in one working embodiment that is ten times greater than the crosssectional flow area through the depending nozzle 130. The nozzle 132 has its flow passage slightly angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the flow area of nozzle 130 and in the case of a ten to one ratio of areas, the angle, as shown in FIGURE 4, is thirty-five degrees. As best seen in FIGURE 5, the inlet 134 to the nozzle 132 and an inlet 136 to the nozzle 138 are located in close spaced relationship to the end wall 128. It will also be noted that the flow discharge through the nozzle 132 is directed into the flow directing conduit 70 and thence to the inlet nozzle 76 of the machine and, accordingly, fluid flow through the nozzle 132 has a definite back pressure maintained thereon. Because of this back presure and the particular illustrated configuration of the nozzles 130, 132, including their angular relationship to one another and their location at the closed end of the pipe 126 the pressure maintained at the inlets 134, 136 of the flow divider nozzles is substantially equal whereby the nozzles 138, 132 will direct an amount of the inlet flow through the flow connecting conduit 7 into the inlet nozzle 76 and thence into the interior of the spin tub 3t and outwardly of the nozzle 130 in direct proportional relationship to the cross-sectional flow areas through these nozzles. Also, by virtue of the particular configuration of the flow divider 68 as discussed above, this proportional flow will be maintained through a wide range of pressures of the inlet fluid passing through the supply conduit 67. For example, in the illustrated working embodiment of the invention, the flow divider 68 is able to maintain a l to 10 proportion of flow through the outlet nozzle 130 and the outlet nozzle 132 through a pressure variation in the supply conduit between p.s.i. and 120 p.s.i.

The smaller amount of proportional flow through the nozzle 130 is directed downwardly therefrom and thence through a tapered funnel member 138 which is located in an opening in the subtop 28 in a position to overlie the space 38 between the spin tub 30 and the water container 34. The small amount of fluid falls through the space 38 and thence is directed across the bottom bulkhead 36 to a drain opening 140 therein which is in communication with an inlet opening 142 to an improved fluid receiving sump member 144 that has particular characteristics in accordance with the present invention to collect the small amount of water passing through the nozzle so as to condition the air responsive switch 94 to terminate the fill operation by de-energizing the solenoids for maintaining valves 60, 62 open when the small amount of water from the nozzle 130 accumulates to a predetermined degree.

More particularly, in the illustrated arrangement the improved sump container 144 is characterized by having a thin outer wall 146 formed of a blow molded plastic such as polypropylene which forms a first large volume tank portion 148 that is totally enclosed through its upper extent except for the opening 142 therein. The large volume portion 148 includes an upper surface 150 thereon which has an outwardly directed ridge 152 formed therein around the opening 142 which is integrally formed with an annular seat 154 on which is located an annular seal element 156 that is retained by the ridge 152 around the opening 142. Additionally, the seal is retained at its inner circumference by a split retainer ring 158 that has an upper flange 160 located against the upper surface of the bottom bulkhead 36 around the drain opening 140 and a bottom flange 162 that locks against the inner surface of the seat 154 around the opening 142 in the large volume tank portion 148. The retainer ring 158 serves to compress the annular seal member 156 in sealing engagement between the water container bottom bulkhead 36 and the sump assembly 144 to prevent fluid leaking exteriorly of the water container 34 as it passes into the sump assembly 144.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved support for locating the sump assembly 144 on the bottom bulkhead 36. This support includes an enclosure 164 having side walls 166, 168, and end walls 170, 172 that are in juxtaposition relationship with a good portion of the planar extent of the outer surface of the sump tank portion 148 so as to prevent undesirable flexing therein as the container portion 148 fills. The side walls 166, 168 have outwardly directed flanges 174, 176 thereon which are connected to spaced apart reinforced rails 178, 188 on the bottom bulkhead 36 by suitable fastening means such as screws 181 retained in place by lock nuts 182 located interiorly of the rails 180.

Additionally, the side walls and end walls are joined by a base member 186 which has a shallow depending convolution 188 at the center thereof in which is received a convoluted portion 190 of the sump container portion 148 that defines a flow passageway 192 from the interior 194 of the sump container portion 148 which has a gradually increasing depth throughout the length of the bottom 194 of the container portion 148 from the right end thereof to a drain outlet end thereof as viewed in FIGURE 1. As a result, initial water fiow into the water receiving container portion 148 drains outwardly and thence through a drain conduit 196 which is connected to a check valve assembly 198 to be more specifically discussed subsequently. By virtue of this arrangement, as the drain conduit 1% fills and the fluid level rises in the tank portion 148, there will be a greater Water level at the outlet than at an oval shaped opening 260 formed by a formed interconnector member 201 between the water receiving sump portion 148 and a smaller volume air trapping portion 282 of the sump assembly 144 that is located exteriorly of the sump support 164 at one end thereof by the oval-shaped connector neck 201. Air trapped in portion 202 is pressurized by a raised water level in the sump and the pressurized air is directed through a conduit 203 to be sensed by diaphragm 96.

By virtue of the inclination of the convolution 190 in the sump portion 148, the oval opening 200 is opened immediately when the sump drains whereby compressed air Within the air trapping chamber 202 is vented through the sump opening 142 thence through opening 140 into the water container space 38 to atmosphere whereby the pressurizable bellows of the air pressure switch 94 only senses pressurization resulting from flow of sensing liquid into the sump during a fill cycle of operation. Thus, upon the occurrence of a predetermined level of fluid in the water receiving chamber 148 of the sump assembly 172 which is proportional to a desired preset water level in the spin tub 30 as established by the water selector control knob 90, the bellows of the air pressure switch will operate the switch arm 98 to engage the contact 102 whereby a motor energization circuit is completed, a timer motor circuit is completed and the fill energization portion of the illustrated circuit is de-energized to stop water fill.

In the illustrated arrangement the motor energization circuit is completed from wire L through switch 104, conductor 106, conductor 108 thence through switch arm 98 and contact 102 through a conductor 206 thence through a switch blade 208 of a timer controlled switch that is positioned by conventional cam means to engage a contact 210 that in turn is electrically connected by a conductor 212 to one end of a running winding 214 having the opposite end thereof electrically connected by the conductor 120 to wire N. The reversible electric motor 56 is conditioned for a predetermined rotation to effect an agitate or washing operation through the drive mechanism 44 by the presence of a start winding 216 in the circuit that is connected across a phase switch 218 at the beginning of the agitate cycle of operation from wire L to conductor 106, a conductor 220 electrically connected to a phase switch contact 222 that is electrically engaged by a switch blade 224 controlled by the timer motor and thence through a conductor 226 to one side of the start winding 216. The opposite side of the winding 216 is connected by a conductor 228 to a second movable timer controlled switch blade 230 of the phase switch 218 which is located during the agitate cycle of operation in electrical engagement with a contact 232 that in turn is electrically connected by a conductor 234 through a motor speed responsive centrifugal switch 236 to the running winding 214. When the motor reaches a predetermined percentage of its operating speed the centrifugal switch 236 drops the phase or start winding 216 from the circuit. The phase switch further includes contacts 238 and 240 that are selectively engaged by the timer controlled switch blades 222, 230 following deenergization of the motor subsequent to the washing cycle of operation and precedent to a spin cycle of operation whereby the start winding 216 will condition the reversible electric motor for opposite rotation.

An important aspect of the present inventionis that during the agitation or wash cycle of operation wherein the energization circuit for the motor is conditioned as illustrated in FIGURE 9, it is important to note that the motor is rotating in a direction to cause the bidirectional pump 54 to have the impeller 53 thereof driven by the motor so as to discharge water from the pump through the inlet 56 thereof toward the drain conduit 196. By virtue of this operation the water level in the sump assembly 144 for maintaining the air trapped in the portion 202 of the sump is maintained so that the air pressure responsive switch 94 will be retained in electrical contact with the contact 102 so that during the washing cycle of operation the energization circuit for the motor 56 will be maintained without the need for a separate holding circuit independent of the pressure responsive switch 94.

Another feature of the invention resides in the interrelationship of the air pressure responsive switch 94 and the energization circuit for a timer motor 238 for cycling the aforementioned described timer actuated switches of the control system. As seen in FIGURE 9, during the washing cycle the movable switch arm 98 of the air pressure switch contacts the contact 102 so as to complete a timer motor energization circuit from wire L through switch 104,conductors 106, 108, the switch 94 thence through a conductor 240 to a closed timer controlled switch 242 that is connected by conductor 244 to one side of the timer motor 238 which has the opposite side thereof connected to conductor 246 thence to conductor and wire N. This circuit is maintained during the washing cycle of operation whereby the timer 238 will advance timer controlled switches in a predetermined cycle of operation.

Following the washing cycle of operation the timer motor 238 advances cams to open the energization circuit for the main winding 214 whereby the motor is stopped during which time .the timer 238 positions the phase switch 218 so as to energize the start winding 216 to condition the motor for a reversed direction of rotation from that produced during the washing cycle of operation. Additionally, timer controlled switch 242 is closed and a timer controlled switch 248 is opened between conductors 109, 244. Thence during the start of a spin cycle of operation during which time the pump 54 is operated to drain fluid from the sump assembly 144, the timer motor is energized. Following a predetermined number of timer motor controlled advances the switch 242 is opened and the switch 248 is closed. Usually at this phase of the operation the air pressure responsive switch 98 is still positioned against the contact 102 and accordingly the timer motor 238 is de-energized for the remainder of the drain or spin cycle of operation. By virtue of this arrangement the spin cycle of operation will continue with fluid being centrifuged from the spin tub 30 into the water container 34 thence to drain into the sump assembly 144 where it is drawn down through the drain conduit 196, across the flow control assembly 198 thence into the inlet of the pump 56 to be discharged to the outlet 58 thence through a discharge conduit 250 and into an inlet 252 of a solenoid controlled diverter valve 254 that is conditioned during regular washing cycles of operation to divert fluid through a first outlet 256 of the valve 254 that is connected to a drain pipe 258 for discharging fluid from the water container 54 to an exterior drain. An air expansion chamber 259 on the discharge side of the pump prevents air from the sump 144 from air locking the pump during drain out.

At the end of the drain operation when all fluid has been drained from the water container 34 and the sump assembly 144 so as to condition the switch blade 98 of switch 94 to engage the fill energization circuit contact 100, the air pressure switch and timer control switch 248,

which was previously closed as discussed above, are utilized to re-energize the timer motor 238 to advance the machine through its subsequent cycles of operation.

According to other concepts of the present invention, in the fill and drain system illustrated is incorporated an improved suds saver system that utilizes a part of the pressure fill control system, if desired, following a washing operation to direct the fluid from the water container 34 to a suds saving reservoir during the spin cycle of operation of the machine. Furthermore, the suds saving system includes means for returning the wash fluid from the suds saving reservoir following the spin cycle of operation in order that it might be used in a subsequent washing operation. More specifically, in the illustrated arrangement, as seen in FIGURE 6, the check valve assembly 198 includes a first housing portion 251 having an inlet fitting 253 thereon and a hemispherical portion 255 that has a radially outwardly directed flange 257 thereon that is adapted to mate with the radially outwardly directed flange 259 of a second housing portion 260. The flanges 257, 259 are recessed to receive an annular sealing member 262 therebetween which is held in sealing engagement between the housing portions 251, 260 by suitable fastening means including screws 264 directed therethrough with the upper screw, as seen in FIGURE 6, connecting brackets 266 to the flow director member 198 for securing it to suitable fixed support means of the washing apparatus 10. The housing portion 260 includes a large diameter tubular fitting 268 thereon and also a small diameter tubular fitting 270 thereon both of which communicate with a hemispherical portion 272 of the housing part 260. The hemispherical portions 272, and 255 form an interior space 274 within the flow control member 198 in which is located a movable ball check element 276 that is positionable when the pump 54 is driven in a direction to discharge fluid from its inlet 56 into the position illustrated in FIGURE 6. Upon opposite rotation of the pump 54, so as to drain fluid from the sump assembly 144, the movable ball check element 276 is shifted interiorly of the chamber 274 along an internal ramp 278 formed on the inside surface of the hemispherical portion 272 of the body part 260 into the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6. During the spin cycle of operation of the machine wherein washing fluid in the water container 34 is drawn by the pump 54 so as to be directed into the drain pipe 258, the movable check valve 276 will block fluid flow through the small diameter tubular fitting 270 and allow fluid flow from the inlet fitting 253 thence into the chamber 274 and downwardly and around the movable check valve element 276 and thence through the large diameter fitting 268 which is connected by suitable conduit means to the inlet 56 of the pump 54.

During the washing cycle of operation when the pump 54 is rotated in an opposite direction as discussed above, the pump will prevent flow from the flow control assembly 198 thereby to retain the fluid sensing level in the sump assembly 144 during this phase of operation.

During a predetermined return of fluid from the suds saving reservoir the pump 54 is operated in a similar fashion but the diverter valve 254 is conditioned so that a conduit 280 that communicates with the suds saving reservoir at one end thereof and is connected to a second outlet 282 of the diverter valve 254 at its opposite end is located by the diverter valve 254 in communication with the inlet 252 and thence through the conduit 250 to the outlet 58 of the pump 54. Because of the direction of rotation of the impeller 53 causing it to discharge through the inlet 56 fluid in the suds saving reservoir is drawn through the conduit 280, diverter valve 254, conduit 250 and thence is discharged into the large diameter tubular fitting 26 8 of the check valve assembly 198 so as to cause the movable check valve element 276 to shift into the solid line position shown in FIGURE 6. Thus, the fluid directed into the tubular fitting 268 will be forced through the chamber 274 and exteriorly thereof through the small diameter tubular fitting 270 which is connected to suds saving return conduit 284 having the opposite end thereof connected to an inlet fitting 286 that extends upwardly from one side of the inlet nozzle 76 to the spin tub as best seen in FIGURE 2.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A fluid distributing and level control system for a domestic clothes washer comprising means including a rotatable spin tub for effecting a washing cycle of operation and an extraction operation wherein fluid is centrifuged from articles in said spin tub during a spin cycle of operation, a water container for receiving fluid extracted therefrom during the spin cycle of operation, said water container including a bottom bulkhead having a drain opening therein, a sump tank having an inlet opening communicating with said drain opening, said sump tank having a large volume fluid receiving chamber and a separate small volume air trap chamber, means for communicating said separate chambers adjacent the bottom of each of said chambers, said sump tank having a drain opening therefrom in communication with said fluid receiving chamber thereof, means including a reversible pump selectively operable to drain fluid from said sump tank or to discharge fluid in the direction of said sump tank, fluid supply means including a supply conduit for directing fluid to said spin tub, air responsive means for conditioning said fluid supply means to prevent fluid flow through said supply conduit, said air responsive means including means in communication with said air trap chamber of said sump tank to condition the flow of fluid through said supply conduit in accordance with the pressure level in said air trap chamber of said sump tank, flow divider means including an inlet communicating with said supply conduit and first and second outlets, said first divider means outlet directly discharging fluid into said water container, said second divider means outlet having a cross-sectional fluid flow area greater than said first outlet, a short conduit connected to said second divider means outlet for directing fluid therefrom interiorly of said spin tub, fluid in said water container flowing through the drain opening in said bottom bulkhead and filling said large volume chamber of said sump tank and said means communicating between said large volume chamber and said separate small volume air trap chamber for compressing air trapped in said small volume chamber, said air responsive means responding to a predetermined level of collected fluid in said large volume chamber to condition said supply means to terminate filling of said spin tub, said reversible pump means maintaining the Water level in said sump tank during a washing cycle of operation, by discharging fluid toward said sump tank, valve means interposed between said pump means and said sump tank responsive to fluid discharged toward said sump tank to block flow of fluid into said sump tank and from said sump tank whereby said air responsive means is maintained pressurized by fluid in said small volume air trap chamber to condition said fluid supply means to block fluid flow through said fluid conduit during the washing cycle of operation, said valve means including an outlet to said spin tub, an electrically energizable reversible motor for operating said pump means and said washing means following the filling of said spin tub, energization circuit means for said electric motor including switch means conditioned by said air responsive means when there is a predetermined water level in said sump tank to maintain said motor energized, said energization circuit means including a timer and timer controlled switch means conditioned following the washing cycle of operation to cause said motor means to operate said pump means to drain fluid from said sump tank during a predetermined drain cycle, said valve means having a ball check element moved by fluid draining from said sump tank to a position to block flow through said outlet to said spin tub, said ball check element being positioned to allow free flow of fluid from said sump tank during said predetermined drain cycle which is terminated by the fluid level in said sump tank reaching a point to condition said air responsive means to open said switch means.

2. In a domestic washing machine the combination of operating means including a rotatable spin tub for carrying out a wash and spin cycle of operation, means including an energizable fill valve for directing fluid into the spin tub, a water container for receiving fluid extracted from said spin tub during a spin cycle of operation, said water container including a bottom bulkhead having a drain opening therein, sump means forming a fluid receiving space in communication with said drain opening, said sump means including an air trap chamber therein, air pressure responsive means sensing the pressure in said air trap chamber, switch means controlled by said air responsive means for operating said fill valve, divider means operative during a predetermined fill period for directing a predetermined amount of fill water to said spin tub and a proportional amount of water into said water container and thence into said sump means to buildup pressure in said air trap chamber, said air pressure responsive means responding to said pressure build-up to condition said switch means to terminate the fill at preselected variable levels, said wash and spin operating means including reversible electric motor drive means and reversible pump means driven by said reversible motor means, an energization circuit for said reversible electric motor means including said air responsive means controlled switch means and timer controlled switch means, said air responsive means responding to a predetermined water level in said sump means following a predetermined fill period to complete an energization circuit for said motor drive means through said switch controlled by said air responsive means and said timer controlled switch means, said motor drive means operating to cause said operating means to carry out a washing cycle of operation and to operate said pump means to maintain the water level in said sump means during the wash cycle to maintain pressure in said air trap chamber, said air responsive means controlled switch means responding to said maintained pressure to hold the energization circuit for said motor drive means during a washing cycle of operation, said timer controlled switch means being operative following a predetermined wash cycle of operation to condition said electric motor drive means for reverse rotation and for maintaining an energization circuit therethrough independent of said switch means controlled by said air responsive means, a timer motor, circuit means for energizing said timer motor including said switch means controlled by said air responsive means, said switch means controlled by said air responsive means maintaining said timer motor de-energized during the spin cycle of operation and drainage of fluid from said sump until all of the extracted fluid from said spin tub is removed from said system causing said air responsive means conditioned switch means to complete the energization circuit through said timer motor for advancing said timer motor to condition said timer controlled switches to tie-energize said electric motor means during a subsequent fill cycle of operation.

3. In a fluid distributing level control system for an automatic clothes washer including a flow divider for directing a large amount of water into a washer spin tub for washing and a smaller amount of water into a fluid measuring and sensing system including a water container and an air pressure sensitive switch operative to terminate a fill period of operation by de-energizing a water fill valve, the improvement comprising a water container top, a first opening in said water container top overlying the spin tub, a second opening in said container top overlying the Water container, a water inlet chute supported on said water container top having an outlet end supported within said first container top opening, said water chute including a removable top cover having an inlet fitting thereon, means forming an air gap opening between said cover and said outlet end of said chute, indexing means on said chute for removably securing said chute to locate said cover at a fixed disposition with respect to said second opening in said water container top, a water flow divider integrally formed with said chute cover and including an inlet adapted to be connected to a fill conduit from the water fill valve, said flow divider including a first outlet fitting, a flexible hose connecting said first outlet fitting with said inlet fitting on said water chute cover, said flow divider having a second outlet fitting angularly spaced from said first outlet fitting on the outer circumference of said inlet thereof, said second outlet fitting diverting fluid from said inlet thereof directly through said second water container opening into said Water container for collection by the measuring and sensing system.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,885,879 5/1959 Bloom 68207 3,043,125 7/1962 Horecky 6812 3,102,409 9/1963 Paganini 68208 X 3,237,635 3/1966 Kozel 68403 FOREIGN PATENTS 243,107 1/ 1963 Australia.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner. 

